Knit garment and method of manufacture

ABSTRACT

A TWO LEGGED LOWER-BODY GARMENT OF THE CLASS COMPRISING PANTI-HOSE, BODY STOCKINGS, LEOTARDS, TIGHTS, PANTALOONS, AND PANTS, IS MADE FROM A SINGLE BLANK OF ESSENTIALLY SEAMLESS TUBULAR FORM THROUGHOUT KNITTED ON A CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINE AND COMPRISING TWO LEG PORTIONS AND AN INTERMEDIATE PANT-FORMING PORTION. A WAIST OPENING IS MADE IN THE WAIST PORTION, TOES MAY BE FORMED BY CUTTING AND SEAMING, OR AUTOMATICALLY ON THE KNITTING MACHINE. AT LEAST THE INTERMEDIATE PORTION AND PREFERABLY EACH PORTION IS KNITTED OF STRETCHABLE YARN WHICH MAY BE STRETCH YARN OF ELASTOMERIC YARN. IF OF STRETCH YARN, THE GARMENT MAY BE UNBOARDED BUT MAY BE GIVEN A RELAXING TREATMENT.

Jan. 15, 1974 M. R. JOHNSON Re. 27,886

KNIT GARMENT AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE Original Filed Jan. 10, 1969 2Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR,

Martin Robert Johnson BY 619 M ATTORNEYS- Jan. 15, 1974 JOHNSON Re.27,886

KNIT GARMENT AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE Original Filed Jan. 10, 1969 2Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Martin Robert Johnson BY fmhf ATTORNEYS UnitedStates Patent Int. Cl. A411) 9/02 US. Cl. 66177 37 Claims Matterenclosed in heavy brackets I: appears in the original patent but formsno part of this reissue specification; matter printed in italicsindicates the additions made by reissue.

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A two legged lower-body garment of the classcomprising panti-hose, body stockings, leotards, tights, pantaloons, andpants, is made from a single blank of essentially seamless tubular formthroughout knitted on a circular knitting machine and comprising two legportions and an intermediate pant-forming portion. A waist opening ismade in the waist portion; toes may be formed by cutting and seaming, orautomatically on the knitting machine. At least the intermediate portionand preferably each portion is knitted of stretchable yarn which may bestretch yarn of elastomeric yarn. If of stretch yarn, the garment may beunboarded but may be given a relaxing treatment.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS Reference is made to thefollowing British patent applications, from which priority is claimed:

No. 2,414/68 of Ian. 16, 1968 No. 9,278/68 of Feb. 26, 1968 each in thejoint names of Ridley, Spriggs and Johnson Limited and Martin RobertJohnson. (Assignors to Pretty Polly Limited.)

This invention concerns a two-legged lower-body garment or nethergarment of the type comprising an upper knitted part or body portionadapted to fit around the waist and the lower part of the trunk andbeneath the crotch of the wearer and a depending pair of legs knittedintegrally with the body portion. It is particularly concerned withgarments of the class comprising panti-hose, body stockings, leotards,tights, pantaloons having fulllength legs, and pants having legsreaching to just above or just below the knee of the wearer.

In substance garments of the class referred to, as commonly constructed,consist of a pair of long stockings united at their upper ends topanties, and prior to the present invention each garment has consistedof a plurality of shaped blanks seamed together and in the finishedcondition has been of bifurcated form with the legs extendingside-by-side. These garments have usually been made by the successivesteps of knitting, separately, a pair of stockings of extra length,subsequently cutting the inner sides of the welt-to-thigh portions ofthese stockings longitudinally, and thereafter seaming the cut edgeseither wholly to appropriate edges of a separatelyproduced interposedgusset or partly to a gusset and partly to one another. As hereinafterappears an object of the present invention is a method by which agarment of the type or class specified can be made less expensively. Afurther object is a method by which it can be made from a single blankof essentially seamless tubular form throughout. A further object is agarment capable of fitting a wide range of human anatomy sizes, and amethod of its manufacture. The invention provides a method of makingnether garment of the type specified, and particularly a garment of theclass referred to which comprises knitting three integral seamlesstubular portions in continuation of one another, viz. a first legportion, an intermediate portion for eventually forming the pantportion, and a second leg portion, and providing a waist opening in saidintermediate portion. In the finished garment the three said portionsmay be substantially aligned when not in wear. Desirably, at least theintermediate portion is knitted wholly or in the main of stretchableyarn and this permits it to conform to the lower body of the wearer andpermits the legs, in wear, to extend substantially side-by-side.

The expression stretchable yarn includes stretch yarn and elastomericyarn. A stretch yarn is a yarn made from thermoplastic fiber or fibers,usually in continuous filament form, which is capable of a pronounceddegree of elongation and a rapid recovery, this property having beenconferred on the yarn by it having been subjected to an appropriatecombination of deforming, heat setting, and developing treatments. Theexpression includes crimped yarn, torque yarn, and non-torque yarn. Itis preferred to employ stretch yarns having S and Z twist or false twistknitted in an alternating sequence, or a knit-deknit yarn. Typicalexamples of suitable elastomeric yarns are sold under the registeredtrademarks Lycra and Spanzelle and under the designations Glo-Span andBlue C."

The waist opening may be formed during the knitting operation, orsubsequent thereto.

This invention also includes the garment itself and the one-piece blanktherefor.

In order that the invention may be better understood, reference will nowbe made to the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 shows one form of the blank according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows one form of completed garment, of the class referred to,according to the invention;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are views, looking in directions at right angles to oneanother, illustrating modifications;

FIG. 5 illustrates the manufacture of the blanks in continuous stringform;

FIG. 6 shows a modified garment, substantially as worn;

FIG. 7 illustrates a further modification;

FIG. 8 illustrates an automatically-closed toe.

The blank shown in FIG. 1 consists of three integral andsubstantially-aligned seamless tubular portions, viz. a leg and footportion 10, a pant-forming portion 11, and a second leg and foot portion12. Portion 11 is knitted wholly or in the main of stretch yarn andportions 10 and 12 are preferably but not necessarily knitted wholly orin the main of stretch yarn. The blank is knitted on a circular knittingmachine so that it has the same number of wales throughout. The portions10 and 12 may be shaped slightly by the known process of stiffening,i.e., fashioning, commonly employed in the manufacture of ladiesstockings. The pant portion 11 may be knitted of somewhat stouter yarnor yarns than those of which the portions 10, 12 are wholly or in themain knitted, and this results in the portion 11 being of slightlyincreased diameter. Alternatively or in addition the diameter of portion11 may be increased by knitting it with slacker (longer) stitches and,specifically it may be knitted with slack courses alternating withless-slack courses. The latter assist in knocking-over the slackcourses. Alternatively, portion 11 may be knitted of a yarn having astill-greater capacity for stretch. At their open outer ends theportions 10, 12 may themselves incorporate two seamless parts 13, 14knitted of stretchable yarns of somewhat stouter character. Thus thepant portion 11, and parts 13 and 14 may be knitted of continuousfilament torque yarns 40 denier and S and Z twist, and the main lengthof portions 10, 12 knitted of 20 denier S and Z twist yarns so as tohave a sheer and translucent appearance. Portion 11, or portions and 12,or all three portions may be knitted in micro-mesh or a non-run knittedstructure.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, a succession of blanks can be knitted incontinuous strong form as a continuous tube in which the parts 13, 14 ofconsecutive blanks are continuous with one another. The tube iseventually separated at regions A into the separate blanks. The cuttingand seaming of the toes may be effected at the time of separation, orsubsequently.

A suitable circular knitting machine has a diameter of over 3 inches andthe number of needles is 80-474. Specifically the machine may be 4/z-inch diameter and the number of needles 408.

A suitable knitting specification is as follows:

Region: Courses Make-up 8 Waste 72 Toe portion 264 Leg 2136 Pant portion1584 Leg 2136 Toe portion 264 Waste 4 It will, of course, be understoodthat the diameter and gauge of the machine is chosen in accordance withthe size of yarns to be employed and the desired size of the finishedgarment.

After the blank has been removed from the machine the open end of eachportion 13, 14 is cut and seamed between the points 15, 16 to anappropriate toe shape. The toes of the garment are not necessarily ofthe shape shown; for example each toe seam may extend in a directionsubstantially normal to the plane of the paper.

Instead of the toes being cut and seamed, they may be closedautomatically on the knitting machine in the process of knitting thegarment blank by adapting known methods of automatically closing thetoes of stockings, and FIG. 8 illustrates such a toe in perspective at13a. It will be seen that the toe is visually distinguished by radiating puckers or pleats.

A cut is also made in the portion 11 to provide a waist opening ofappropriate size and this waist opening is provided with a sewn-onelasticated waist band 17. This last mentioned cut may be made as a slitin the Wale-wise direction. A Wale-wise guide line for the cut may beproduced during knitting: for example by an appropriate recurrent stitchformation (e.g. a line of tuck stitches) or by preventing one or twoneedles knitting. Alternatively, an area of the fabric of a suitableshape and size may be cut out.

Desirably the cut extends for a given number of courses and not over agiven fabric length. For this purpose, during knitting two markers maybe produced on the portion 11 which markers are spaced apart by apretermined number of courses so as to indicate the length to which thecut is to be made. These markers, which are conveniently in the form ofcoursewise bands, are visually distinguishable from the remainder ofportion 11 and may be constituted by a stitch variation or yarn color orshade variation. Specifically, on the region of each end of the portion11 there may be a plurality of markers spaced a given number of coursesapart. For example each end of the portion 11 may consist of a band ofplain fabric having, at regular course intervals, one or twovisuallydistinguishable courses. These may be produced by introducing anadditional yarn at, for example, every sixth course. Except for theseplain bands, portion 11 may, like portions 10 and 12, be knitted inmicro-mesh or run-resist structure.

The circumferential location of the wast opening, or the cut therefor(whether made subsequently to knitting or, as hereinafter described,during knitting) may be as required. For example it may be substantiallyaligned, walewise, with the tips of the toes or may be offset,circumferentially of the tube, from the aligned position.

The waist band 17 is preferably made of two-way stretch fabric and,before sewing-on, has a width of inch to 2 inches. Desirably it has afixed length before sewing on, which therefore determines the size ofthe finished waist opening.

The garment illustrated in FIG. 2 comprises a body portion 11' and legs10', 12' (with cut and seamed toes 13', 14') integral therewith and awaist opening with waist band 17.

If the garment is knitted wholly or in the main of stretch yarns it isdesirable that the step of boarding (which is normally applied tostockings knitted of stretch yarns) shall be omitted, although thegarments may be boarded if desired. The omission of the step of boardinghas the advantage that any one garment is capable of fitting a very widerange of human sizes. The step of boarding stockings, knitted of stretchyarns, in which they are drawn onto boards or forms and while on themare subjected to heat (in the regions of 248 F. for nylon 6 and 257 F.for nylon 66) and moisture, sets the stockings to a given size and shapeand inhibits the degree of stretch possessed by the stockings. Whilesuch a boarded stocking, knitted of stretch yarns, is capable of fittinga range of human leg and foot sizes, this range is limited. On the otherhand, if as in the present invention, the step of boarding is omittedthe range of human anatomy sizes the garment will fit is considerablyincreased.

The present garments are preferably subjected, in the greigc, to arelaxing treatment effected under the action of heat and moisture whichdevelops the stretch qualities of the yarn and enhances the capacity ofthe garments for elastic stretch and recovery. This relaxing treatmentmay be combined with a dyeing treatment.

This relaxing treatment may be effected while the garments are limp anduntensioned and under conditions such that their elasticity is notreduced and such as not to heatset the yarn. The temperature employed inthis treatment should be less than the temperature at which the yarn hasbeen pre-set and should not be substantially greater than 221 F. and maybe below 203 F. For example the garments may be treated in a dyebath thetemperature of which is raised in stages to a maximum of 185-194 F.

In a specific example, for scouring and dyeing the garments, a Smithrotary drum dyer or similar machine may be employed. The garments, inlimp and untensioned condition, are placed in mesh nets and then placedin equal proportions in each compartment of the drum, the latter havingfirst been filled with cold water and the requisite amount of scouringand dispersing agents having been added. The garments are rotated inthis cold bath for 20 minutes. The temperature of the bath is thenprogressively raised to F. for over a period of 20 minutes.

At this temperature the dye chemicals are added, the bath being held atthis temperature for a further 15 minutes after which its temperature isprogressively raised from F. over a period of 40 minutes. The bath isheld at this temperature for a further 30 minutes, after which thegarments are checked for shade.

Following dyeing, the garments are then cooled and rinsed while in thedrum. They are then removed from the drum, subjected to hydroextraction, removed from the nets and dried (e.g. tray dried) at asuitable temperature, for example 200 F. The garments are then ready forwear. However, if desired the garments may be ironed to enhancetheirappearance.

.Alternatively, a non-rotary dyer, in which the goods remain stationaryand the dye liquor is circulated through them, may be employed.

In a further alternative, the relaxing treatment may be applied in anautoclave at super-atmospheric pressure, the garments being inuntensioned condition.

While a relaxing and stretch-developing treatment according to any ofthe foregoing examples results in the garments having good stretchproperties, it may result in their having a pleated or wrinkledappearance, unless they are subsequently ironed.

Therefore in another mode of relaxing treatment the garments may beplaced on flat metal supports of such a size and shape as not to distendthe garments, and while thereon are dyed in an autoclave at atemperature in the region of 203 -221 F. this temperature being held fora very brief period, say about 80 seconds. This contrasts with thetemperature of 212-233 F., and the duration of about 1%. hours, normallyemployed in dyeing stockmgs.

If desired, the waist slit may be cut and the elastic waistband 17 sewnin place following the relaxing and/or dyeing treatments.

The blank shown in FIG. 1 is knitted throughout by rotation. However, ifdesired each portion 10, 12 may be formed with a heel pouch produced bynarrowing and widening in a manner known in itself, (e.g. duringreciprocation). Alternatively, heel pouches may be formed by theintroduction of spaced partial courses during rotational knitting. Apartial course is a course which does not extend for the fullcircumference of the tube. Alternatively, each heel area may bereinforced by part-round splicing with a splicing yarn which itself maybe a stretch yarn such for example as false twist yarn, each splicedarea being suitably shaped. Since the introduction of partial courses,or of part-round splicing, is effected during rotational knittin it isnecessary either to avoid the formation of floats, or to cut them out asknitting proceeds, or to cut them out after knitting has been finished,in known manner. An area of each portion 10, 12 corresponding to thesole of the foot may be reinforced by splicing.

In a modification illustrated in FIG. 3 the margins 18 whereat theportion and 12 are united to the portion 11, are, for at least a part oftheir length, diagonal to the wales and courses. To achieve this thesame yarns that are employed for the portions 10 and 12 are continuedthrough the portion 11 but are supplemented by a splicing or reinforcingyarn which may be a stretch yarn. At the commencement of the portion 11this additional yarn produces part-round splicing the arc of whichprogressively increases until the additional yarn is knitted by all theneedles. At the other end of portion 11 the reverse procedure isadopted. A Wale-wise band 19 of part-round splicing, of a still furtherstretch yarn, may be provided along part 11. It is within this band 19that the waist opening is to be cut. Floats of the added yarn or yarnsmust be avoided or cut out. Although this band is shown as extending forthe full length of portion 11, it can stop short of the ends of thisportion. This band 19 can be knit of eiastomeric or rubber yarn so as toprovide, when cut along its center line, the waistband 17, the cut edgesbeing suitable finished-off and, if necessary, the band being suitablereinforced (e.g. by stitching) at the ends of the cut to prevent thelatter spreading.

When the garment so far described is not being worn, the three portions10, 11, 12 are in substantial alignment. Some divergence from thisalignment may be provided by the modification illustrated in FIG. 6.

In FIG. 6 two pouches 18 and 19, resembling heel pouches, are knitted inthe portion 11 at the hip regions and extend over the same are ofcircumference of said portion. They provide additional fabric in theseregions which produces some divergence of the leg portions fromalignment with portion 11, each pouch being symmetrically disposed withregard to the waist-opening cut. These pouches may be produced bynarrowin and widening, following any pattern known for heel pouches,during reciprocatory knitting or by the introduction of partial coursesduring rotary knitting.

Each of them may be symmetrical with respect to a central Wale, or axisof symmetry, or may be asymmetrical. If they are symmetrical, the lineof the waist slit may coincide with, or may be displaced from, the axisof symmetry.

Alternatively the portion 11 may be shaped by the introduction of spacedpartial courses during circular knitting, thereby to ensure a greaterlength of fabric along the top of portion 11 as illustrated by the area11a in FIG. 7. *For example, in area 11a every third course may be apart-circular course knitted on some only of the needles, theintervening two courses being circular courses knitted on the fullcircle of needles. The waist cut may be made along the axis of symmetryof area 11a or along a line offset from the axis of symmetry.

It is within the scope of the invention to vary the frequency, and/orthe circumferential length, of the partial courses. For example, in thecase of a multi-feed machine, as knitting progresses from an end ofportion 11 to the medial point in its length, a progressively-increasingnumber of the feeds may be controlled to produce partial courses of thesame, or of progressively-changing length, the reverse procedure beingadopted after passing the medial point. Thus, in the case of aneight-feeder machine (i.e. a machine having eight spaced feeding andknitting stations) knitting of portion 11 is commenced at all feeders;at a given stage one or more of these feeders are caused to producepartial courses while the remainder produce circular knitting and at afurther stage one or more of these remaining feeders is caused toproduce partial courses while the feeder or feeders still remainingproduce circular knitting; this sequence is then reversed. The partialcourses produced at one stage may have the same, or a different,circumferential length as the partial courses produced at the nextstage. Alternatively, at a given stage some of the feeders continue toknit circular courses and the other feeders change to knitting partialcourses of differing lengths. Thus, for example, in the case of an eightfeeder machine, at the given stage two feeders continue to knit circularcourses, two feeders knit partial courses of one length, two feedersknit partial courses of another length, and the remaining two feedersknit partial courses of a third length. In a further alternative,circular knitting can be commenced on a proportion of the feeders, theother feeders being introduced at a given stage, or progressively, toproduce partial courses of differing lengths.

It will be understood that the blanks and garments herein described thewales extend lengthwise, and the courses extend width-wise (i.e.circumferentially) of portions 10, 11, 12, the number of the wales beingconstant. Such blanks may readily be knitted on a circular knittingmachine of an appropriate diameter and with the appropriate number ofneedles. If the blank incorporates pouches knitted by narrowing andwidening during reciprocation, the machine may be provided withconventional pouching mechanism: indeed a conventional seamless hosemachine may be employed.

It has already been stated that the cut for the Waist opening may bemade during knitting. Thus the knitting machine may be equipped, at apredetermined location, with a cutter which cuts along a needle wale orsinker Wale. For example there may be a needle having, on its shank, aprojection formed with a cutting edge so that upon this needle beingselectively raised to a height above its clearing height the edge cutsthe head of a needle loop. Alternatively, a sinker having a cutting edgemay be selectively projected inwards to cut the head of a sinker loop,or a cutting jack may be provided among the sinkers.

The reference to a garment or a desired part thereof being knittedwholly or in the main of stretch yarn or elastomeric yarn is notintended to preclude the alterna tion of courses of stretch yarn andcourses of non-stretch or flat yarn in a desired sequence. For example,in a desired part of the garment balanced courses of S and Z yarn may beinterspersed with courses of fiat yarn. Thus a suitable repeating coursesequence may be S, F, Z, F, or S, F, S, Z, F, Z, where each letter Findicates a course of fiat yarn. A circular knitting machine having aplurality of yarn feeding and knitting stations, so that a plurality ofcourses is knitted at each revolution, may be employed.

It is the scope of the invention to knit the leg and foot portions 10,12 of non-stretch yarn in which case at least these portions may beboarded or dye-boarded. Particularly in the case of a garment in whichthe portion 11 is knitted wholly or in the main of stretch yarn orelastomeric yarn and the leg portions 10, 12 of non-stretch yarn, theends of the portions 10, 12 may be left open (i.e. the garment iswithout feet); such a construction is applicable to pantaloons andpants. The ends of the leg portions may be elasticated.

If the leg portions are stiifened" then, since knitting commences at thetoe end of one leg portion, the commencement is made with relativelysmall or tight stitches; these are made progressively slacker asknitting proceeds up the leg to the junction with the pant portion. Thelatter is knit with the same or slightly greater slackness and at orafter the end of the pant portion is reached the slackness isprogressively reduced as knitting proceeds down the other leg.

It will be appreciated that the garment according to the presentinvention is made in an inexpensive and rapid manner, is capable offitting a wide range of human anatomy sizes, and provides a good fit inthe body portion and legs.

What is claimed is:

1. A method of making a two-legged garment [of the class comprisingpanti-hose, leotards, tights, body stockings and the like] having a pantportion for enclosing the lower part of the trunk and extending beneaththe crotch of the wearer and a pair of integral legs each terminating ina foot having a closed toe, said pant portion having a waist opening,which method includes a. knitting, as a continuous seamless tube, threeintegral tubular portions viz.: a first leg portion, an intermediateportion for eventually forming the pant portion and then a second legportion,

b. said seamless tube being rotary knitted substantially throughout, toform a continuous seamless tube of knitted wales all of which extendcontinuously throughout the tube,

c. and closing the toes of the garment.

2. A method according to claim 1 which comprises knitting at least thepant portion with stretchable yarn.

3. A method according to claim 2 which comprises knitting the legportions with stretchable yarn.

4. A method according to claim 1 which comprises knitting at least thepant portion with stretch yarn.

5. A method according to claim 1, which comprises knitting at least theleg portions with stretch yarn.

6. A method according to claim 1, in which each of the three integralportions is knitted, at least in the main, of stretch yarn, and thegarment is subject, while in limp and untensioned condition, to arelaxing treatment effected under the action of heat and moisture whichdevelops the stretch qualities of the yarn and enhances the capacity ofthe garment for elastic stretch and recovery.

7. A method according to claim 1, including the step of applying astretchable waist band to the waist opening.

8. A method according to claim 1, including the steps of knitting, intothe pant portion, two markers which are spaced apart by a predeterminednumber of courses, and subsequently cutting the waist opening to alength determined by the spacing of the markers.

9. A two-legged garment [of the class comprising panti-hose, leotards,tights, body stockings and the like, said garment] having a pant portionfor enclosing the lower part of the trunk and extending beneath thecrotch of the wearer and a pair of integral legs each terminating in afoot having a closed toe, said pant portion having a waist opening,which garment comprises a single continuous seamless knitted tubeforming the pant portion and the legs and the feet, with all the knittedwales of the legs and the feet extending through said legs and feet intothe pant portion and with the knitted courses extendingcircumferentially of said tube.

10. A garment according to claim 9, wherein at least the pant portion isknitted with stretchable yarn.

11. A garment according to claim 10, wherein the stretchable yarn isstretch yarn.

12. A garment according to claim 9, having the legs knitted withstretchable yarn.

13. A garment according to claim 12, wherein the stretchable yarn isstretch yarn.

14. A garment according to claim 9, having the legs and the pant portionknitted with stretch yarn, which garment is characterized in that it isunboarded.

15. A garment according to claim 9, having the waist opening constitutedby a Wale-wise extending interruption in the tubular form of the pantportion and provided with an elastic waist band.

16. A garment according to claim 9, which is knitted at least in themain, of stretchable yarn, the legs are substantially aligned with thetubular pant portion at opposite ends of the latter and the elasticityof the pant portion affords a capacity for stretch in the latter whichpermits the legs to extend side by side in wear, the tubular form of thepant portion is interrupted by a longitudinal slit providing the Waistopening, which opening is elasticated.

17. A blank for a garment according to claim 9, constituted by aseamless tube comprising three integral tubular portions viz, a firstleg portion, an intermediate portion suitable for eventually forming thepant portion of the garment, and a second leg portion, the length ofwhich leg portions is greater than that of the intermediate portion andis adequate to provide the legs and feet of the garment, the wales ofwhich tube extend continuously through the three portions, theintermediate portion being knitted at least in the main of stretchableyarn and the leg portions being knitted at least in the main of stretchyarn.

18. A method of manufacturing a seamless panty hose type garmentcomprising the steps of (a) knitting a tubular party hose blank on acircular knitting machine by continuous unidirectional rotary knittingfrom one end of the garment type blank to the other end and while,

(b) knitting a first leg portion by first forming integrally knit toe,foot, ankle sections, lower and upper leg sections,

(c) knitting a medial panty portion,

(d) knitting a second leg portion by forming integrally knit secondupper and lower leg sections, second ankle, foot and toe sections,

(e) slitting said medial portion of said panty hose blank in a walewisedirection and along one side for a predetermined distance to form awaist opening therein.

19. A one piece seamless unidirectional rotary knitted panty hosegarment having wales and courses therein comprising a seamless tubularpanty portion integrally knitted having an upper waist opening,

said seamless panty portion having integrally knitted seamlessdownwardly depending leg portions defining a crotch portiontherebetween,

said garment having an area from said waist opening down to andincluding said crotch portion wherein all the wales therein extenduninterrupted from the lower part of one leg portion through said areaand down to the lower portion of the other of said leg portions.

20. A method acc rding to claim I, further including the steps ofknitting the intermediate portion of the seamless tube to provide anupper section and a lower crotch section, and knitting partial coursesin the upper section to impart a longitudinal curvature to theintermediate portion f the tube.

21. A method according to claim 1, including knitting the intermediateportion of the seamless tube to provide an upper section and lowercrotch section, and knitting partial courses in the upper section toimpart a longitudinal curvature to the intermediate portion of the tube.

22. A method according to claim: I, further including the steps ofknitting a curved intemediate portion of the seamless tube having aconvex upper section and a concave lower crotch section, and slittingthe upper section to form a waist opening therein.

23. A garment according to claim 9, wherein the pant portion is curvedlongitudinally and includes a concave crotch area extending between thelegs.

24. A garment according to claim 9, wherein the pant portion is curvedlongitudinally and includes an upper area and a lower concave crotcharea extending between the legs, and wherein the upper area containspartial courses.

25. A garment according to claim 9, wherein the pant portion is curvedlongitudinally and has an upper convex portion and a lower concavecrotch portion, and the upper portion of the pant portion contains aplurality of partial courses to impart a convex curvature thereto.

26. A garment blank according to claim 9, constituted by a seamless tubecomprising three integral tubular portions, viz. a first leg portion, anintermediate portion f r providing the pant portion of the garment, saidintermediate portion being curved longitudinally and including a concavecrotch area, and a second leg portion, the length of which leg portionsis greater than that of the intermediate portion and is adequate toprovide the legs and feet of the garment, the wales of which tube extendcontinuously through the three portions.

27. A garment according to claim 9, wherein the pan! portion has marginswhich, for at least part of their length, are diag nal to the wales andcourses and converge downwardly.

28. A garment according to claim 9, wherein the pant portionincorporates part-round splicing.

29. A garment according to claim 9, wherein the legs are void of heelpouches.

30. A garment according to claim 9, wherein the legs have reinforcedheel areas.

31. The method of claim 18 further including the step of knitting acurved medial panty portion having a convex upper section and a concavelower crotch section, to impart a continuous longitudinal curvature tosaid panty portion.

32. The method of claim 31 further including the step of knittingpartial courses in the convex upper secti n.

33. The garment of claim 19 wherein the panty portion is curvedlongitudinally and the crotch portion is of concave configuration.

34. The garment of claim 19 wherein the upper area of the panty portionincorporates spaced partial courses.

35. A two-legged garment having a pant portion for enclosing the lowerpart of the trunk and extending beneath the crotch of the wearer and anintegral pair of legs, said pant portion having a waist opening providedwith an elasticated waistband, which garment comprises a single knittedblank forming the pant portion and the legs and has (a) all the wales ofthe legs extending through the pant portion and with the courses of thelegs extending ciroumferentially thereof,

(b) the elasticated waistband knitted integrally with the pant portionand (c) the courses of the pant portion extending through the waistband.

36. A garment according to claim 35, wherein wales of the legs extendthr ugh the waistband.

37. A method for the manufacture of a two-legged garment having legsintegral with a medial pant portion and the latter having a waistopening provided with an elasticated fabric waistband, comprising thesteps of:

(a) knitting a garment blank on a circular knitting machine, from oneend of the blank to the other, by first knitting a first seamless legportion, then knitting a medial pant portion in continuation of saidfirst leg portion, and then knitting a second seamless leg portion incontinuation of the pant portion,

(b) providing elasticated knitted fabric for the waistband by knittingsaid fabric integrally with the pant portion during the knitting of thelatter, and,

(c) during the knitting of the blank from one end to the other,continuing the wales of the first leg portion into and through said pantportion, including said elasticated fabric, and into and through saidsecond leg portion.

References Cited The following references, cited by the Examiner, are ofrecord in the patented file of this patent or the original patent.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 256,532 4/ 1882 Appleton 66177 402,202 4/1882Sutton 66177 2,560,580 7/1951 Lacks 66177 2,962,884 12/1960 Garrou etal. 66-177 3,075,375 1/1963 Garrou et al. 66177 3,109,300 11/1963 Garrouet a1. 66177 3,109,301 11/1963 Garrou et al 66--177 Re. 26,581 3/1969Currier 66187 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,046,337 12/1953 France 290 1,094,10312/1967 Great Britain 66-176 RONALD FELDBAUM, Primary Examiner US. Cl.X.R.

